The wholesome image of college sporting events doesn't always line up with the amount of unrecycled waste and power consumed by training facilities and game days.

The Natural Resources Defense Council is exploring how collegiate sports programs can become cleaner and more efficient while tapping into student concerns about the health of our planet.

A new report by the New York-based group cites as one example of progress the improvements made to the Mission Bay Aquatic Center by the University of California San Diego and San Diego State University, including thermal solar panels that heat the facility's 50-meter pool.

College athletics departments are increasingly investing in energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling and renewable energy, says Alice Henly, author of "Collegiate Game Changers: How Campus Sport is Going Green."

She says the popularity and cultural influence of collegiate sports provide an outsized educational opportunity for environmental sustainability.

The study looked at sustainability efforts at 30 schools, providing detailed case studies starting with the University of Colorado, which has converted its stadium to a “zero waste” venue, implemented an organic turf management program for all playing fields.